LATEST Certified Surgical Technologist
(CST) certification, offered by the National
Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical
Assisting (NBSTSA) | Q&A WITH
RATIONALES - Pass NBSTSA CST on Your
First Try
1. The phase of the surgical experience that begins
when the patient is transferred to the operating room
bed and ends when the patient is transported to the
post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is known as the:
A) Preoperative phase
B) Intraoperative phase
C) Postoperative phase
D) Perioperative phase
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The intraoperative phase encompasses
the period from when the patient enters the operating
room until they are transferred to the PACU .
2. A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile
back table for a procedure. Which of the following
actions violates aseptic technique?
,A) Opening a sterile instrument tray using the sterile
peels
B) Placing the sterile back table within the sterile
field
C) Reaching over an unsterile area to place an item
on the sterile field
D) Allowing only sterile items to contact the sterile
field
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over an unsterile area
contaminates the sterile field. The sterile field must
be established and maintained without reaching over
unsterile spaces .
3. A surgical technologist notes that the sterile
indicator inside a peel-pack instrument set has not
changed color after autoclaving. What is the
appropriate action?
A) Use the instrument and document the event
B) Return the instrument to sterile processing for re-
sterilization
C) Wipe the instrument with alcohol before use
D) Use the instrument only for minor procedures
Correct answer: B
,Rationale: The chemical indicator must change color
to confirm that sterilizing conditions were met. If the
indicator has not changed, sterility cannot be
assured; the instrument must be re-sterilized .
4. The primary purpose of surgical draping is to:
A) Keep the patient warm during the procedure
B) Create and maintain a sterile barrier between the
surgical site and potential contaminants
C) Absorb blood and fluids from the incision site
D) Identify the correct surgical site
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Surgical drapes establish a sterile field
around the incision site, preventing migration of
microorganisms from non-sterile areas into the open
wound .
5. The first scrub role of the surgical technologist
includes all of the following duties EXCEPT:
A) Setting up the sterile back table and mayo stand
B) Performing the surgical hand scrub and donning
sterile gown and gloves
C) Administering preoperative antibiotics
, D) Passing instruments to the surgeon during the
procedure
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Administering medications is outside the
surgical technologist's scope of practice and is
performed by the anesthesia provider or circulating
nurse .
6. A surgical technologist is preparing for a
procedure that requires a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy. Which type of anesthesia is most
commonly used for this procedure?
A) Local anesthesia
B) Regional anesthesia (spinal)
C) General anesthesia
D) Monitored anesthesia care (MAC)
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is typically
performed under general anesthesia to ensure
patient immobility, airway control, and adequate
pneumoperitoneum .
7. The correct order for donning sterile gown and
gloves using the closed-gloving method is:
(CST) certification, offered by the National
Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical
Assisting (NBSTSA) | Q&A WITH
RATIONALES - Pass NBSTSA CST on Your
First Try
1. The phase of the surgical experience that begins
when the patient is transferred to the operating room
bed and ends when the patient is transported to the
post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is known as the:
A) Preoperative phase
B) Intraoperative phase
C) Postoperative phase
D) Perioperative phase
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The intraoperative phase encompasses
the period from when the patient enters the operating
room until they are transferred to the PACU .
2. A surgical technologist is preparing the sterile
back table for a procedure. Which of the following
actions violates aseptic technique?
,A) Opening a sterile instrument tray using the sterile
peels
B) Placing the sterile back table within the sterile
field
C) Reaching over an unsterile area to place an item
on the sterile field
D) Allowing only sterile items to contact the sterile
field
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over an unsterile area
contaminates the sterile field. The sterile field must
be established and maintained without reaching over
unsterile spaces .
3. A surgical technologist notes that the sterile
indicator inside a peel-pack instrument set has not
changed color after autoclaving. What is the
appropriate action?
A) Use the instrument and document the event
B) Return the instrument to sterile processing for re-
sterilization
C) Wipe the instrument with alcohol before use
D) Use the instrument only for minor procedures
Correct answer: B
,Rationale: The chemical indicator must change color
to confirm that sterilizing conditions were met. If the
indicator has not changed, sterility cannot be
assured; the instrument must be re-sterilized .
4. The primary purpose of surgical draping is to:
A) Keep the patient warm during the procedure
B) Create and maintain a sterile barrier between the
surgical site and potential contaminants
C) Absorb blood and fluids from the incision site
D) Identify the correct surgical site
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Surgical drapes establish a sterile field
around the incision site, preventing migration of
microorganisms from non-sterile areas into the open
wound .
5. The first scrub role of the surgical technologist
includes all of the following duties EXCEPT:
A) Setting up the sterile back table and mayo stand
B) Performing the surgical hand scrub and donning
sterile gown and gloves
C) Administering preoperative antibiotics
, D) Passing instruments to the surgeon during the
procedure
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Administering medications is outside the
surgical technologist's scope of practice and is
performed by the anesthesia provider or circulating
nurse .
6. A surgical technologist is preparing for a
procedure that requires a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy. Which type of anesthesia is most
commonly used for this procedure?
A) Local anesthesia
B) Regional anesthesia (spinal)
C) General anesthesia
D) Monitored anesthesia care (MAC)
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is typically
performed under general anesthesia to ensure
patient immobility, airway control, and adequate
pneumoperitoneum .
7. The correct order for donning sterile gown and
gloves using the closed-gloving method is:
